Szczechura off IR; Reassigned to Norfolk

The Tampa Bay Lightning have assigned center Paul Szczechura to the Norfolk Admirals, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton. He has been sidelined with a lower body injury since January 13.

Szczechura, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound center, had appeared in all 23 games for Norfolk prior to his first NHL call-up on December 1. He was leading the team with 11 goals, 13 assists and 24 points at the time. He also was tied for ninth in the AHL in scoring and tied for tenth in the league in goals at the time.

Szczechura made his NHL debut on December 2 with the Lightning in Philadelphia. Since then, he has played 18 games with Tampa Bay, scoring two goals and two assists with six penalty minutes. Szczechura, 23, signed a two-year deal as a free agent with the Lightning on April 24.